Love Your Enemies

Jesus told the man versed in the Law that a Samaritan could be viewed as a neighbor.  In his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus went even further when he said: "You heard that it was said, 'You must love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' However, I say to you:  Continue to love your enemies  and to pray for those persceuting you; that you may prove yourselves sons of yoru Father who is in the heavens."  (Matthew 5:43-45) Even when someone opposes us, we try to "keep conquering the evil with the good."  (Romans 12:19-21)  If possible, we share with him our most precious possession, the truth.

In Ukraine an article in the Kremenchuk Herald newpaper spoke of Jehovah's Witnesses as a dangerous sect.  This was serious because in Europ some speaki of Jehovah's Witnesses in this way in order to persuade people that the activities of the Witnesses should be restricted or banned.  Hence, the editor  was approached and asked to publish a press release correcting the article.  He agreed, but with the release, he printed a statement that the original article was based on fact.  So responsible brothers approached  him again with more information.  Finally, the editot realized that the original  article was wrong, and he published a retraction.  Dealing with him frankly and kindly was the loving way to handle this situation and it led to a good result.

Next time: How Can We Cultivate Love?

The Watchtower, 2001